NASCAR Heads to Martinsville, VA

Excitement rose among race fans as NASCAR headed to Martinsville, VA on Mar. 23. The weekend consisted of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, set to run on Mar. 24, and the Monster Energy Series, set to run on Mar. 25.

However, things did not go according to plan. Rain and snow began to fall Saturday Mar. 24 during the truck race, causing the race to be postponed. Due to dangerous conditions on the track, officials also postponed the Monster Energy Series event.

According to NBCSports, “The last Cup race to be postponed by snow was Atlanta in 1993.”

Although some fans were outraged, officials were concerned with the safety of the fans traveling and for the drivers racing. Both races were rescheduled for Mon, Mar. 26.

Martinsville Speedway is .526 miles long, making it the shortest track for the race series. On average, NASCAR drivers can reach 100 mph to 200 mph at most tracks such as Daytona (2.5 mile track) and Talladega (2.66 mile track). At Martinsville, the average speed is 81 to 86 mph.

Because of the smaller size of the Martinsville track, cars run bumper to bumper, causing more cautions and wrecks. However, there were only three caution flags. The first yellow flag signaled the end of Stage 1, the second one to end Stage 2, and the third for Jamie McMurray, who ran into the wall at turn 3.

With the track dry and sun shining, the race began with the famous words “Drivers, start your engines!” After the cars followed the pace car for the first three laps, the green flag flew at 2:06 p.m. for the NASCAR Monster Energy Series. With the daytime high reaching 60 degrees, race fans experienced a bright day filled with racing. NASCAR officials reported that, despite only having a ticket for either the truck or Monster Energy series, race fans could attend both races.

As the Monster Energy race began, it became hard to distinguish each driver’s standing. Within the first 25 laps, the lead driver began lapping other drivers, putting them a lap down. With laps dwindling down, some drivers became aggressive to ensure a high finish for the first stage of the race.

A battle between Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski ensued as the top three competed for first. Lap 130 came around, signaling the end of Stage 1 with the top 5 drivers Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer.

With the start of Stage 2, drivers continued acting aggressive to keep their positions from the first stage. However, Ryan Blaney shook things up as he made his way to the front. Lapping cars, it seemed that Blaney was unstoppable. Although Bowyer was behind Blaney, Bowyer could not make the pass. Lap 240 signaled the end of Stage 2 with the top 5 drivers of Blaney, Bowyer, Busch, Keselowski, and Hamlin.

As the drivers entered Stage 3, Blaney continued to dominate the track until lap 285 when Bowyer was able to get low and make the pass. Soon, Blaney fell back to fourth as Busch and Hamlin both passed him.

A caution flag flew at lap 385 as McMurray went into a wall. As the green flag waved, drivers took off once more with Bowyer continuing to lead the pack.

The last remaining laps flew by with no cautions or wrecks. Bowyer had a comfortable lead as Busch, who was behind him, could not catch up. Meanwhile the drivers behind the two leaders competed to get a higher standing.

As the checkered flag flew at lap 150, Bowyer celebrated his victory at Martinsville Speedway with the traditional burnout on the track, collecting the checkered flag and making his way to victory lane. With the race finished, Bowyer, Busch, Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Aj Allmendinger, Chase Elliott, and Keselowski took the top 10.

As the checkered flag flew at lap 150, Bowyer celebrated his victory at Martinsville Speedway with the traditional burnout on the track, collecting the checkered flag and making his way to victory lane. With the race finished, Bowyer, Busch, Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Aj Allmendinger, Chase Elliott, and Keselowski took the top 10.

For the rest of the 2018 racing schedule, check out the official NASCAR website.